Anglais the statue of liberty

                         English 

Intro :

I'm going to present the notion of Myth and Heroes. I will present this notion by focusing on the Topic of American Dream. The main question can be the following The American Dream: myth or reality? To illustrate this notion, i will speak about three document are The Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam and West Side Story.



The Statue of Liberty 

The statue of Liberty was made and designed by the artist Auguste Bartholdi. The steel framework inside was made by the engineer Gustave Eiffel (a creator of La Tour Eiffel in Paris). The Statue of Liberty was offered by France to the USA. It was finished in France in 1884 and sent to the USA in 214 crates.
The seven spikes on the crown of The Statue of Liberty simbolizing the seven seas across which Liberty should spread. In her left hand, she holds a tablet with the Declaration of Independance. Not to mention in her right hand she holds a torch who simbolizing Enlightenment.
The Tablet in her left hand simbolizing in addition a nation based on laws, it's founding principles.
The Sandals of the Statue of Liberty simbolizing that she's actually walking ahead, moving forward. She's lighting the path of freedom through peace, not violence.


Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam is an iconic figure of the USA , a national symbol. Uncle Sam was an actual man; Samuel Wilson, was born in Massachussetts. He settled with his brother in the town of Troy, where they set up a prosperous meat-packing business.They obtained contracts to supply the Army during the 1812 colonial war, a campaing to conquer territory further North.
They sent salted meat in barrels marked with the initials of « Uncle Sam» for Samuel, feeding the Army.

Samuel Wilson was a honest man, devoted to his country.
He was wearing his finest red, blue and white suit, aborned with elements from the American Flag : The Stars and Stripes, the very image of patriotism. He has a long white hair and a «goatee» for his beard. Andrew Jackson(7th president of USA) and Abraham Lincoln served as models for his representation.

West Side Story

In New York in the 50s, two rival gangs lay down the law and are in confrontation in the district of

West Side, the Jets( Americans white with Polish, Irish origin) And Sharks (immigrated in origin
Puerto Rican). Tony (the ex-leader of the Jets and the best friend of Riff, current leader) and Maria (sister of Bernardo, Leader of the Sharks) fall in love but the opposition between both clans makes their story impossible. The director of this movie are Jérôme Robbins & Robert Wise, the composer is Leonard Bernstein. This movie was realesed in 1961. It's a new adaptation of Romeo and Juliet writting by Shakespear.
We are going to center in the song of the movie « America» In this scene, the men and women of the Sharks debate the advantages and disadvantages of their adopted country, America. In the original 1957 stage version of the musical, one woman (Anita) sings the praises of the United States, while another sings in favor of Puerto Rico, but the piece overwhelmingly favored the positive aspects of the United States while painting a more negative picture of Puerto Rico. In the 1961 film adaptation, Anita and her fellow women still sing in favor of the United States, but the male members of the gang counter with corresponding criticism about racism in American society. Most of the original negative content about Puerto Rico was removed from this version. 



Conclusion

To conclude, the American Dream for some it was a reality and to the other it was a myth. Some foreigners in spite of they are installed(settled) for a long time in America, they was not seen as Americans. It was very difficult for them.